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B harmonic minor scale on guitar
B harmonic minor uses B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G, A♯. Box 1 places the root on string 6 fret 7 for a compact five-fret span.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the B harmonic minor scale on guitar?
B harmonic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 15 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 3 | G, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B harmonic minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 15 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
B harmonic minor in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7, the D string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9 | A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8 | F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
B harmonic minor in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the D string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12 | A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
B harmonic minor raises the seventh degree of B natural minor from A to A♯, creating a leading tone. The scale follows W, H, W, W, H, 1½, H. The augmented second between G and A♯ gives it a distinctive Middle Eastern color. Compare with B natural minor to hear the raised seventh.
When to use it
Use B harmonic minor over B minor and B 5th chords. It also fits F♯ major as the dominant. The raised seventh creates a strong pull to the tonic, making it ideal for classical cadences and flamenco progressions.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root on string 6 fret 7 keeps the hand in one position. It covers frets 0–3 and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in B harmonic minor?
B harmonic minor contains B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G, and A♯. The raised seventh is A♯. The scale has an augmented second between G and A♯.
Which chords does B harmonic minor fit?
B harmonic minor fits B minor and B 5th chords. It also works over F♯ major as the dominant. The scale outlines a B minor tonality with a major V chord.
How does B harmonic minor differ from B natural minor?
B harmonic minor raises the seventh degree from A to A♯. This creates a leading tone that pulls strongly to the tonic. The natural minor has a whole step between the sixth and seventh degrees.